I have
received many calls and letters asking me to take a stand on HB 2560. I haven’t
to date, because relationships are far more important to me than politics and I
have friends on both sides of this issue. Secondly, I’m not particularly
political to begin with. But, after composing and revising this statement
several times, here is what is in my heart for our movement here in PA:

I’m in favor
of a substantial change to the homeschool law, but I believe HB 2560 goes too
far. I would like to see a meaningful level of accountability to prevent high
school dropouts* and deadbeat parents from claiming to be homeschoolers. I
believe accountability deals with the realities of the sinful nature of man. If
folks can claim to be homeschooling without demonstrating to any earthly
authority (governmental or otherwise) that they are responsibly overseeing
their children’s education, some of us will progressively slide towards greater
and greater abuse of this right and threaten the freedom of all.

Having
traveled widely, I agree with HSLDA’s observation that there is little
difference in performance (between those who submit to some performance
measurement) from state to state; whether highly regulated or unregulated. I
have also observed that homeschoolers in less regulated states are more relaxed
and stress-free than those here in PA, and the vast majority are responsible,
earnest parents.

However, as
I have traveled to less regulated states, folks have expressed 1) concern about
high school “dropouts” claiming to be homeschoolers in their state and 2)
interest in PA’s diploma programs as a way of establishing credibility. Friends
of mine who have lived in both PA and less regulated states have also observed
that homeschoolers are regarded with greater respect here in PA, than in the
unregulated states where they lived. They credited this to the higher level of
accountability and the diploma programs we have. Do we really need to risk
losing this? Is it necessary to give up what protection the law has provided
our reputation as people of integrity, while addressing the clear
burdensomeness of the current law?

I would also
be able to support several options of enrollment, such as a religious exemption
option for those who see any accountability to the state as intrusive,
enrollment under an umbrella school as a means of voluntary accountability; or
another for those who would like to avail themselves of services they believe
their tax dollars have paid for, such as participation in scholastic sports.
Fundamentally, I support parental choice and would hope that we could all
support this concept even when we would not select a certain choice ourselves.

I would also
like to see our diploma programs protected for those who value this option.
These programs have been a service to many families in PA, and it seems we
should be able to address the concerns PHAA members in particular are raising,
without impinging upon the preferences of those who do not wish to participate
in them. No one can say with certainty how a law might be applied in future
political climates, so it seems reasonable to work for the greatest degree of
clarity in language now as is possible.

As the bill
moves out of committee and is likely amended, I hope to be able to support it;
because it is time for a change. But let us position ourselves now to labor
together, as we have been, once we get to the other side of this process. I
have always been immensely grateful for the unity we have enjoyed here in PA,
even though we are quite a diverse lot of folks. It has been a gift from God,
and we don’t want to lose His favor in the process.

Finally, the
most important thing I’d like to say is this; and it is written by one who has
regretfully burned far too many bridges in the past:

I’m greatly
grieved by the rhetoric being flung around, especially by those who identify
themselves as Christians. God is far more concerned about our hearts during
this process, than He is about this law. Those of us who are Christians must
remember the gospel is to be the central message of our lives and how we
conduct ourselves during this process will attract or repel others. God is
testing our hearts during this season of debate and conflict. Even if we have
the truth (which we may or may not in this situation), truth spoken without
love is an offense to our Father in heaven and damages the cause of Christ. Let
us go about our business according to our convictions with eternity in view.

In His
Sovereign Grace,

Debra Bell

June 5,
2002

* I do not
mean that parents without high school diplomas should be disqualified from
homeschooling. That is not my position, and it has never been my position. I do
not want kids under the age of 17 to claim to be homeschoolers, when they are
really truant and doing nothing to acquire an education.

[If quoted
or printed, please do in its entirety. Thank you— Debra Bell].S

Debra Bell
is a nationally known homeschooling expert from Pennsylvania.In addition to giving homeschooling
workshops across the country, she has homeschooled her own four children from
elementary school through high school.She is the owner of the Home School Resource Center and the Young
Writer’s Institute and the author of The
Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling.